MSU magic

Izzo, Spartans answer doubts.

Izzo, Spartans answer doubts.

Optimism was rampant on the Michigan State campus earlier this month when the Big Ten men's basketball season opened. Then came a narrow homecourt victory over visiting Minnesota in the league opener and an unexpected 43-36 loss at Iowa City on Jan. 12. Suddenly the Spartans were not drawing comparisons to the 2000 national championship team, but of the Spartans team that lost an exhibition game in November to Division II Grand Valley State. The question after the Iowa loss was whether the Spartans Â? the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten title Â? would live up to expectations.

Coach Tom Izzo was in a somber mood briefly after the Iowa loss. But he didn't stay down long. Four days later, the No. 11 Spartans defeated Ohio State, 66-60, then beat Minnesota in the rematch last at Williams Arena.

They take on Northwestern in Evanston tonight.

Perhaps it's no surprise that the Spartans bounced back. Overcoming question marks and bouncing back are Izzo trademarks. It's the attitude that helped him take a Spartans squad that was once the second-best basketball program in his state to four Final Four appearances in seven seasons, including a national championship in 2000.

Izzo's basketball career is all about overcoming question marks. He was a walk-on in 1973 at Division II Northern Michigan, and went on to earn All-America honors. His college roommate was NFL coach-to-be Steve Mariucci, who walked on in football and also earned D-II All-America status.

Izzo said that having to prove himself at Northern Michigan shaped his work ethic. Izzo is known as a tireless recruiter and a coach who emphasizes aggressiveness in practice. Michigan State's national championship rings are inscribed with the abbreviation for Izzo's motto Â? "Players play, Tough players win."

"I think being a walk-on just gives you that mentality that you've got to work for everything, you know, and that's kind of been my MO here and the way I try to keep my players and the way I think our program is," he said. "It's a blue-collar program."

The Iron Mountain, Mich., native also said he learned the value of hard work even before enrolling at Northern Michigan because he grew up "without a silver spoon." He said some of best coaches in college basketball, including Smith, have had so much success because they have recognized in their own lives the value of hard work.

Izzo said despite the achievements of his program at Michigan State, maintaining a high level of success still keeps him hungry.

"You know it's funny, I look at guys like (Gophers coach) Tubby (Smith), I look at guys like (Duke's) Mike Krzyzewski, I look at guys that have done it over a sustained period of time, and I think the mark of a real great program, coach, player, whatever, is can you do it over time?" said Izzo, who turns 53 on Jan. 30. "Can you sustain? You know what we're all looking for is not just a great player but consistency."

Smith and Izzo became friends even though their teams battled often when Smith was at Kentucky. They both helped coach young basketball players in Kuwait as part of Operation Hardwood in 2005.

When Smith decided to go to Minnesota last March, Izzo was rumored to be a possible replacement at Kentucky. He said the possibility felt "weird," but he was prepared to discuss the job with Smith.

"I would have never have done anything without talking to him. That's how much respect I have for him," Izzo said.

He also respects what Smith has done with the Gophers so far. "I don't think you would question that Minnesota is having more success because they play so hard now," he said. "They're just tougher than they used to be."

Smith said when he left Kentucky for the Gophers, he expected to continue his wars with Izzo.

"They're a team that's playing extremely well right now," he said. "I know they had a tough one down at Iowa but you won't see that happen again with a Tom Izzo-coached team. They've got great coaching."